How to lift and plump your skin

For years, we've been trying not to stare at the upper half of friends' faces, mentally measuring the frown lines across their forehead and crinkles around their eyes. While there is an abundance of creams, serums and, of course, Botox to iron out wrinkles, the absence of lines in this area doesn't always give you a fresh, youthful glow. In fact, recent research carried out by YSL Skinscience shows that the lower half is as important as the top part: for it is where 50 per cent of ageing appears. Here, sagging is one of the key components, alongside lines, wrinkles and dullness.

Conquering slackening skin is no mean feat, as there are several factors that cause jowls. 'As we age, a drop in hormone levels, sun damage and general lifestyle damage collagen, which gives skin elasticity and bounce,' says Dr Michael Prager. These changes are compounded by inevitable loss of volume, caused by the breakdown of fat cells and the irresistible effects of gravity.

Fortunately, there are treatments to counterbalance these effects. Hollywood A-listers use injections of human growth hormone (HGH), which can turn back the clock by 15 years; but they can only be prescribed by a doctor, and side-effects can include joint and muscle pain and mental-health problems. Alternatively,Thermage, a professional radio-frequency treatment, tightens skin effectively after six sessions. For a more immediate difference, Dr Prager likes to use fi llers to add volume in the cheeks and Botox to relax the downward-pulling muscles around the jawline. 'We need to replace the volume in the cheeks in order to lift the lower face, but this only works well if the muscles aren't pulling down,' he explains.

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If you are not ready for the needle, vigorous massage can help both to strengthen the facial muscles and to tighten and fi rm skin. The celebrity facialist Su-Man, who counts Naomi Campbell as a regular client, incorporates massage into all of her treatments as, she explains, 'it improves blood circulation and keeps skin supple'. Unsurprisingly, several beauty brands and experts have developed at-home facial massagers to help.

As with general ageing concerns, preventative measures, such as always wearing SPF, not smoking and eating a healthy diet, will slow the breakdown of collagen and keep skin taut. 'While regular face creams can add moisture and temporarily plump up the skin, the results are superficial,' says the dermatologist Dr Nick Lowe. That said, some creams make more of a difference than others. For maximum hydration, L'Occitane's new Immortelle 28 Day Divine Renewal Program is a potent concentrate to reboot and rebalance skin; while Elemis, which marks its 25th anniversary this year, has its iconic Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, which can be used as both a day cream and a mask to nourish and fi rm skin. Meanwhile, Environ's new launch, Revival Masque, £85, boosts the skin's Natural growth factors.

This was originally published in the March 2015 issue of Harper's Bazaar. To subscribe, click here.

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